IPL 2020: Chris Morris a 'three-in-one cricketer' but struggling to be fit for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Big-money South African missed win over Sunrisers Hyderabad with a side strain and struggling to be fit for game against Kings XI Punjab

RCB spent $1.3 million to land Chris Morris at auction but he has yet to featgure in this year's IPL. AFP

Chris Morris remains an injury doubt for Royal Challengers Banaglore ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL in Dubai.

The South African fast bowler was a big-money buy for Bangalore ahead of this season.

RCB spent $1.3 million (Dh4.7m) to land him at auction, as they attempt to cure the bowling issues that have contributed to them finishing last in two of the past three seasons.

A side strain kept him out of the opening game, though, leading them to reshuffle their pack ahead of their opening game, against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“He would have played a huge role through the middle and at the death,” Mike Hesson, Bangalore’s director of cricket operations, said.

“His batting would have had a huge impact as well, so it does change the balance of our side.

“He is a three-in-one cricketer, and he is not easy to just replace.

"We had to change the structure of our side, especially seeing the game the night before, in terms of the seam movement that was on offer.

“There are a lot of things to consider, and hopefully Chris will come back into consideration in a game or two.”

Despite Morris’s absence, Bangalore took a win from their opener at the Dubai International Stadium, following a woeful collapse by Hyderabad.

Hesson said it was a fine start to the campaign, but pointed out his side still have plenty to work on.

_____________________

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore ratings

_____________________

“We are always looking to improve,” Hesson told the franchise’s YouTube channel.

“When you win it is easier to look and be subjective without be emotional.

“We know it was a good performance with the bat, but that it wasn’t perfect either in some other areas.

“We will look at that as a side, whether we have the balance right for that particular wicket.

“[Head coach Simon Katich], Virat [Kohli] and myself will look at the way we want to structure things, recognise the things we did really well, and try to tweak a few things as well.”

Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL after suffering an ankle injury on just the third ball he sent down in the tournament.

The Australian all-rounder has been replaced by Jason Holder, the West Indies captain.